1/72 Fokker Funf Decker

from the RoG Fokker Dr.1

by Brian da Basher

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Silly Week 2008

 

The Scheissehaus Scourge 

After the success of the Fokker Dr.1 triplane, Fokker chief designer Reinhold Platz naturally wondered what the capabilities of an even more improved aircraft in the same vein might be. Such it was that in the early autumn of 1917, a five winged version was rolled out for testing at Johannistahl. Idflieg was curious at what the new Fokker Funf Decker had to offer but first they had to find a test pilot.  The test-pilot had to have many superior qualities.  He had to be skilled enough, adventurous enough, but most importantly dumb enough to take the unwieldy looking bird into the air.  Fortunately for Reinhold Platz, Idflieg and the entire Imperial German Air Service, Hauptmann Fritz von Scheissehaus of Jasta B-M (Bayerische-Munchen) 2 posessed all the necessary qualities and stepped in to fill the void.  Von Scheissehaus put the new aircraft through its paces and after landing and attending to some "personal business" in a small one-room office with a moon cut in the door, emerged to extol the virtues of the new bird. While Idflieg and the Imperial Air Service's Inspector General were not entirely convinced, the good Hauptmann requested and was granted permission to test the new Funf Decker under battlefield conditions and thus, a legend, and the Scheissehaus Scourge were born... 

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Starting in late Septemeber 1917, the skitterish Hauptmann von Scheissehaus, aided by his crew-chief Unteroffizier Erich Hardtstuhl, began a string of victories against Allied observation aircraft that earned him the much-feared monniker of the Brown Baron. Hauptmann von Scheissehaus downed no less than 13 opponents in the five weeks ending October 31st, 1917. Unfortunately, the Brown Baron was grounded by a breakfast of extremely thick porridge and a shortage of "personal" stationery on November 1st, 1917. The Brown Baron was obligated to sit out the rest of the war in a rear area until his ailment healed.  He greeted the Armistice (and a cod liver oil treatment) with great relief.  Baron Fritz von Scheissehaus' exploits are still discussed today in the men's room of the German Air Staff college. 

Brian

Photos and text © by Brian da Basher